Bridge on River Kwai

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

This build is a tribute to the POWs who were involved with the Thai-Burma (Death) Railway, during WW2. Though the real bridge does not look like the famous movie bridge, I feel that the later is the most recognized. The model, when completed, will have an image of the real bridge as its backdrop.

This build will have, besides the (incompleted) bridge, POWs doing various tasks of constructing the bridge. Research into the historical facts of how the railway was built has been a sad affair. I found it difficult to keep a creative mindset in the midst torture and death of what I wish to create. To help me find some balance, I used one of the figurines as a central piece for humour in the build log updates.

However, I also need to add information about the tribute. So, I will interweave the build updates with some historical information related to the build.

Scale 1:150

Scratch build, mostly from wood.

No plans available, sizes have to be estimated.

Rough profile of diorama. It will be a narrow model of only 160 mm wide.

2

This looks like a great idea. I had a great uncle who was captured at Singapore and forced to work on the railway. 3 Battalions from my county Regiment, the Royal Norfolks, were captured and spent 3 and a half years as PoW’s.

I really look forward to seeing this come along.

3

Here are a few links to the historical aspects of this build:

Bridge on the River Kwai, the movie.

Brief true story about the bridge.

This link has lots of information to the Thai-Burma Railway and Hellfire Pass.

Thank you Bish. This information has led me to new reasearch results, including stories from Burma

4

Here is how I started to get an idea of the bridge measurements. I used Alec Guinness as the ‘known’ reference measurement.

Cutting the diorama base/platform from scrap 12 mm plywood.

Went to hardware store and bought 4 and 6 mm hardwood (Tasmanian Oak) dowels.

As mentioned earlier, my helping hand, ‘Minder’, is telling me to get the dowel off the base and start preparing the base.

5

Awesome to see you back on another epic project Peter!!!

Although I keep thinking about Higgin’s matchstick recreation on Magnum PI.

Bish: Wow, interesting to hear you had relatives there. Everything I’ve heard about the real story was pretty horrible.

6

Great idea. Will be watching.

7

The book was written by Pierre Boulle, who also wrote Planet of the Apes.

The design of the movie bridge is a double cantilever through truss, as opposed to the actual bridge which was a span through truss.

I like the movie bridge design too. It’s kind of a baby version of the Firth of Forth Bridge, a scene in the movie The 39 Steps.

8

I’ll be watching this closely. Alot of sad history happened during the building of this railroad (along with other horrific war crimes committed by the Japanese) and should not be forgotten.

9

Great film, and a most worthy subject. As Bish pointed out above, the reality was much darker than the Hollywood portrayal. It was on TV the other nite and we watched it at work. The younger guys could not quite understand the film nor Col. Nicholson. Far too removed from their life experience or knowledge.

I read the Pierre Boule Bridge on the River Kwai novel along with his work Planet of the Apes several years back. Both were far darker than how they were portrayed on screen. Excellent reads I highly recommend.

10

A modeller made three versions for Magnum PI. One was made for blowing up.

11

Thanks, Bakster, for watching.

12

Thanks for interesting information about the bridges.

Have not seen ‘The 39 Steps’, but read about it only tosay. Hope one day I will get to see the movie. Yes, the Firth of Forth Bridge looks very modern, even after all these years ( nearly 140).

13

Thanks, Rambo, for watching.

14

Thanks, stickpusher, for visiting this build-log.

Yes, there seemed to be a silence, at the time, about the reality.

Even many POWs didn’t want to tell the story. Too shocking. Besides, PTSD was not recognized then, other than ‘shell-shock’. Also, survivors saw life differently afterwards, which to them what seemed normal, was disturbing to others (such as family members).

15

After marking the base plate, the piers (dowels) were cut to length.

Then tapered to simulate tree lumber. Not having a lathe, I simply marked one end to the desired diameter, then sanded the dowel to suit.

Minder, can be very stubborn, he did not move to escape the sanding dust.

Decided to collect the dust for future use, as sawdust, in the diorama.

Redrew the cantilever towers to scale and with greater accuracy. Comparing the tapered piers to the drawing.

16

There were more Asian POWs than of the Allies. Most of the deaths were Asian.

The POWs only got water, and one scoop of rice per day. That’s it!

Three unidentified Australians. The third person is also suffering from beriberi, and cannot button-up his shorts.

17

Oh wow, I didn’t know there were more than one. I do remember Thomas blowing the bridge up, and even back then I was honked off!!!

18

Though I enjoy building Japanese Second World War subjects their treatment of POWs and subject people were pretty horrific. I read Iris Chang’s ‘The Rape of Nanking’ a few years ago and frankly I had to put the book down a few times and walk away. I’ve heard she did over play some of the history but still the Japanese record in China was a horror show.

Peter: On a happier note, you’re off to a great start. Sanding down all those dowel rods looks like a pain but I love the results.

19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDAdJ4plSyc

20

Actually, it did not take too long at all, about half an hour. I used a fairly course sandpaper.

Yes, I understand about needing to take a break from sitting too long with ‘shattered reality’. There is ‘Vicarious PTSD’, a real condition where a person can take on PTSD from prolonged exposure to cases of PTSD. That is why ‘Minder’ was created, to bring some lightheartedness to the build.